Attar

What is Attar?

Attar is a concentrated perfume oil made by extracting the scent of flowers, herbs, spices, and sometimes animal products into a base, usually sandalwood oil. The process uses steam or water distillation, resulting in a richly scented oil. Attars are thick, often golden or amber in color, and are dabbed directly onto the skin. They are known for their long-lasting, natural fragrance and are free from alcohol.

Where does Attar come from?

Attar has ancient roots in India and Egypt, where it has been crafted for thousands of years. The word 'attar' comes from Hindi-Urdu and Arabic. In India, cities like Kannauj are famous for traditional attar making, using copper vessels and bamboo pipes. The technique spread along trade routes, reaching the Middle East and Yemen, where local variations developed. Notable historical figures, including Indian royalty and Egyptian perfumers, contributed to its evolution.

How Attar is made

To make attar, flowers, herbs, or spices are placed in a still with water and heated. The fragrant steam passes through a pipe into a vessel containing sandalwood oil, where it condenses and infuses the oil with scent. The mixture is then aged, sometimes for years, to deepen the aroma. The process requires skill and is still done by hand in some Indian cities.

When and where Attar is used

Attar is worn as a perfume, especially for special occasions and religious events. It is also used in Hindu and Buddhist rituals, and by some Sufi Muslims at shrines. Attar is given as a luxury gift and sometimes used in food or incense. Some types are chosen for their warming or cooling effects, depending on the season.

Forms of Attar

Attars vary by the materials used. Warm attars like musk and saffron are preferred in winter, while floral attars such as rose and jasmine are chosen in summer. Some attars are made from rare ingredients like ambergris or animal musk, though synthetic versions are now common. Each region and maker may have unique blends.

What Attar means

Attar holds cultural and religious importance in India, Egypt, and Yemen. It appears in ancient texts and is used in temple and household rituals. Indian cities like Kannauj are renowned for their attar craft. Attar is associated with luxury, gifting, and spirituality, and its production is a respected tradition.

The flowers of Attar

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursJasmineA group of fragrant shrubs and vines with white or yellow star-shaped flowersArabian jasmineA small white jasmine with a strong, sweet scent, treasured in Asia for garlands and ceremonies

Questions people ask about Attar

Good reading and sources

• Attar on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data